The Role Of Immigration In Combating The Criminal Acts Of Passport Forgery

Abstract

Indonesia as a state governed by the rule of law requires legal development that is adaptive to modernization and globalization, including in the field of immigration, which regulates the movement of persons across borders through travel documents such as passports. However, the falsification of identity or documents to obtain or use passports remains prevalent despite criminal sanctions under Law No. 6 of 2011, thus necessitating firm immigration law enforcement to protect public interests and safeguard national and international security. This study aims to analyze the role of immigration authorities in combating passport forgery and to examine the obstacles/challenges faced by immigration authorities in addressing passport forgery along with the proposed solutions. This research employs an empirical juridical, descriptive-analytical approach by combining library research (statute, case, and comparative approaches) and field research (interviews/observation), using primary and secondary data collected through document study and interviews, which are then analyzed qualitatively through an inductive method to draw conclusions. The role of Immigration in combating passport forgery is strategic as part of its function in safeguarding state sovereignty through law enforcement carried out by Immigration Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS Immigration), who are authorized to conduct inquiries and investigations into immigration crimes, including the provision of false information and the use of counterfeit travel documents. Preventive measures include verifying the authenticity of documents, strengthening service procedures, cross-agency coordination, and the supervision of foreign nationals for early detection, while repressive measures involve enforcing the criminal provisions of the Immigration Law and cooperating with other law enforcement agencies. However, implementation faces internal obstacles such as the lack of integration between SIMKIM and population administration databases, limited trained personnel in document examination and investigation, and inter-agency data exchange that is not yet real-time, as well as external obstacles such as high cross-border mobility and advances in forgery technology that make criminal methods increasingly complex. Therefore, comprehensive system strengthening is required through improved infrastructure and data security, enhanced capacity building and continuous competency certification for officers, standardized SOPs accompanied by periodic audits, integrated inter-agency data and intelligence exchange mechanisms, and expanded technology-based document verification.